Bid Opportunities
There are currently no bids open for Butler County. New bids will be posted to this page.
Merchant Licenses
Merchant Licenses
Merchant Definition
Missouri Law 150.010 RSMo 1994 indicates that every person, corporation, co-partnership, or association of persons who deals in selling goods, wares, and merchandise at any store, stand or place occupied for that purpose is a merchant.
When to Get a Merchants License
A Merchants License is required when all of the following are true:
- You own or operate a business
- The business is located in Butler County, either within or outside the city limits of any incorporated area
- There is a sales tax number issued to the business by the Missouri Department of Revenue
City Licensing Requirements
If your business is within the city limits, you should also check with the city for their licensing requirements.
Businesses That Do Not Require a License
You do not need a Merchants License if any of the following apply:
- You are a registered motor vehicle dealer and your primary business is selling motor vehicles
- You are a physician, dentist, or veterinarian selling medicines, at either wholesale or retail, used in your practice
- You are a farmer who grows or processes any article of farm produce or farm products on your farm, as long as you do not have a regular stand or place of business away from your farm
How to Get Merchants License
To get a Merchants License, visit the Butler County Collector’s Office or call 573-686-8088 for a Merchants License Registration Form (PDF).
State Sales Tax Number
Your state sales tax number must be included on the form. If you need more information regarding state sales taxes, please contact the Missouri Department of Revenue in Jefferson City at 573-751-5860.
Submitting the Form
Return the completed form and check for $25 made out to Butler County Collector to the Collector’s office at:
100 N Main Street
Room 105
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Methods of Payment
For more information on paying for licenses and tax bills, see our Methods of Payment page.
Receiving Your License
Your validated license will be mailed to you at the address included on the application.
Additional Licenses
If your business is located within any incorporated area within Butler County, please contact the local clerk to determine what, if any, licenses are required.
- Fisk City Collector - 573-967-3810
- Neelyville City Collector - 573-989-6222
- Poplar Bluff City Collector - 573-686-8616
- Qulin City Collector - 573-328-4488
Pay Tax Bills
Pay Taxes
Paying by Mail
Emily Parks, Collector
100 N Main Street
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Check Information
Unsigned checks will be returned and applicable late charges may apply.
Receipts
Mail Policies
- Payment must have a U.S. postmark date no later than December 31 to be timely.
- Payments with postmarks after December 31 will be assessed applicable penalties and fees.
- Please do not mail cash.
- The post office date (postmark) determines the timeline for the payment
- Unless the postmark is canceled by the U.S. Postal Service, any meter applied postage must be dated and received by the collector on or before December 31 to be timely.
Paying by Phone
Call 573-686-8088 to pay by credit or debit card. More than one bill may be paid in 1 transaction.
Fees
When using a credit card, a convenience fee of 2.50% of the total bill will be charged to each transaction.
Paying In Person
Visit the Butler County Collector to pay your taxes in person. When paying property taxes in person, the collector’s office accepts tax payments by:
- Cash
- Cashier's check
- Credit card
- American Express
- Discover
- MasterCard
- Visa
- Money order
- Personal check
Paying Multiple Bills
Receipts
Receipts will be provided at the time of payment
Drop-Box Location
Real Estate FAQs
- A tax sale is an auction of parcels of property that have delinquent taxes.
- Butler County’s annual tax sale auction is the 4th Monday of August and begins at 10 a.m. on the Butler County Courthouse steps.
- The parcels up for tax sale will be published 3 times in local print news media, in The Daily American Republic.
- The auction list is first published approximately 3 weeks before the sale.
- There is a registration and affidavit form online.
No, you cannot register by mail.
Either cash or money order is due at time of sale.
This is an open public auction.
- No, all liens remain on the property and it’s the buyer's responsibility to take care of those with each entity.
- The new owner cannot take possession of the property until 1 year from the date the confirmation of sale is filed.
- There is an annual interest rate of 10% earned on the property during the redemption period.
No, the county does not assist with foreclosures.
You will receive a receipt showing the amount you paid. At the end of the redemption period, the county will issue a collector's deed.
No, we do not allow these investments
The available properties are published 2 to 3 weeks before the tax sale. You may obtain a copy by contacting the newspaper.
Yes you can get those for $5 per book in the Collector's Office.
There are no properties available.
If there is any property that wasn't sold or bid on it will be available in the next year's tax sale. After it's been published 3 years, it may be sold over the counter.
Tax Entities & Rates
Tax Entities & Rates
Setting Tax Rates
Property tax rates are set each year by local taxing jurisdictions within the limits set by the Missouri Constitution and laws. Rates are based on the revenues that had been permitted for the prior year with an allowance for growth based on the rate of inflation.
Rate Calculation
Projected revenue needs for the current taxable year are divided by assessed valuation of the taxing jurisdiction with values from new construction and improvements, and any increments in personal property valuation held aside. The resulting tax rate becomes the permitted rate for the year if it falls within the ceiling permitted that local government.
Property Tax Formula
Property taxes are found using this formula: Property Tax = (Assessed Value/100) * Tax Rate
Levying Taxes
Taxes are levied against property based on the rates as permitted by voters, collected by the collector and then distributed back to the taxing entities. In other words, the Butler County Collector bills and collects property taxes on behalf of the taxing entities within the county.
Total Tax Rate
The total tax rate is based on property location and applicable taxing entities.
Tax Relief
Tax Relief
Missouri Property Tax Credit Program
Refund Qualifications
You may qualify for a refund if you or your spouse meet 1 of the following qualifications:
- Claimant or spouse must be 65 years of age or older on or before the last day of the calendar year and a resident of Missouri for the entire year
- Claimant or spouse is a veteran of any branch of the armed forces of the United States or this state and is 100% disabled as a result of such service
- Claimant or spouse is 100% disabled
- Claimant has reached age 60 on or before the last day of the calendar year and is receiving surviving spouse social security benefits
Income Guidelines
In addition, your total household income, including social security benefits, must follow the guidelines below.
Tax Years 2008-2009
Certain individuals are eligible to claim up to $750 if they pay rent or $1,100 if they pay real estate tax on the home they own and occupy. If you rent from a facility that does not pay property taxes, you are not eligible for a property tax credit.
- Renters/Part-Year Owners
- If single, your total household income must be $27,500 or less
- If married filing combined, your total household income must be $29,500 or less
- Owned and Occupied Your Home the Entire Year
- If single, your total household income must be $30,000 or less.
- If married filing combined, your total household income must be $34500 or less.
Tax Years 2006-2007
Certain individuals are eligible to claim up to $750 if they pay rent or pay real estate tax on the home they own and occupy.
- Total household income must be $25,000 or less if filing single or $27,000 if married filing combined.
- A 2006 claim must be filed by April 15, 2010, or a refund will not be issued.
- Filing early (before April) ensures a quicker refund.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers can also be found by visiting the Missouri Department of Revenue website.